# Department Of Homeland Security **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 1, 2005, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security/319639 "2005-09-01T21:27:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shutterbug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@Shutterbug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shutterbug)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security/319639/41 "2005-09-03T16:43:26Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Everyone in here is wrong. > > What we need is a color coded hurricane warning system > > Green=Category 1 > Blue=Category 2 > Yellow=Category 3 > Orange=Category 4 > Red=Category 5 > > I’m sure a color coded hurricane system would have solved all the problems. It has worked to stop the terrorists… You are very imaginative. Have you thought about working for Homeland Security? 😉😛 ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security/319639/42 "2005-09-03T16:43:42Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Everyone in here is wrong. > > What we need is a color coded hurricane warning system > > Green=Category 1 > Blue=Category 2 > Yellow=Category 3 > Orange=Category 4 > Red=Category 5 > > I’m sure a color coded hurricane system would have solved all the problems. It has worked to stop the terrorists… Yep. But it has to apply for the whole country. I’m sure the people in Las Vegas will feel more secure knowing that they are at a yellow hurricane risk all the time. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security/319639/43 "2005-09-03T23:18:28Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Realign the DHS organization to maximize mission performance. > [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > This is my favorite! > > “maximize mission performance” haha HAHAHA > > Seriously, who talks like this and _what the **fuck** does it mean???_ > > The assholes who wrote that prolly got paid in the 6 figure range, too. Buncha jerks. I think that they ment this: > [@](#): > > Other Department Realignments > > ``` > * Improve National Response and Recovery Efforts by Focusing FEMA on Its Core Functions. FEMA will report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. In order to strengthen and enhance our Nation’s ability to respond to and recover from manmade or natural disasters, FEMA will now focus on its historic and vital mission of response and recovery. > > ``` As for excuses I think that the lack of a color coding system had to be a big one. That is a great idea. Catagories are a little to complicated and are just bound to get mixed up. We where also almost one year from the last [National Prepardness Month](http://www.ready.gov/npm/index.htm) That had to through us off a bit we needed the remainder to have our safty kit stockled with duct tape and the like. I live in alaska and I know how important that tape can be. Another excuse if that the weatherPerson is wrong alot and they where probally banking on a nice sunny day. And may I ad a little gem from [ready.gov](http://ready.gov)’s NPM site. > [@](#): > > “The devastation and tragic loss of life caused by Hurricane Katrina earlier this week reinforce the urgency of our coalition’s work,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “We urge all Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for emergencies including getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan and learning more about how to respond to emergencies that could affect your area.” Yes it was the peoples faut of the gulf coast for not taking steps outlined clearly. If they all had their supply kits looters and snipers whould not have been a problem, dead bodies wouldent have floated, everyone would have a cache of food and water, levies could have been held up with the duct tape and plastic we should all have in case of biological attack, or they could have fashoned floatation devises with them. For more fun reading check out their tips of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2005, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security/319639/44 "2005-09-03T23:43:04Z")
The handwriting was kind of on the wall for this one. Pretty much every media article on DHS since its inception has mentioned its labyrinthine bureaucracy, its turf wars, its org-chart snafus, its expenditures on fancy office supplies and decor, etc. I’ve never felt confident that these people’s attention was actually focused on, you know, protecting people from disaster. I’m sure there are many competent and hardworking people in DHS, but the image it’s been projecting overall has been one of bureaucratic “random acts of management” rather than competence and efficiency. Hopefully these events will prompt some major changes and improvements, but the “crony capitalism” management style of the current administration doesn’t bode well. Why do we keep choosing people to lead our government who openly profess contempt for government and assure us that government is the problem? Why would we expect them to have any respect for competence or accountability in conducting the work of government? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security/319639.md?page=2)